Explanations of Attachment

Explanations of Attachment

1. Learning theory

   • All behaviour is learned.
     • Classical conditioning- Food produces pleasure.The 'Feeder' (mother) is associated with food so also produces pleasure.
     • Operant conditioning- Food is a primary reinforce, so the 'feeder' becomes the secondary reinforcer.
   • Strengths: We learn through conditioning, however food is not the only factor, attention and responsiveness is also important
   • Limitations: Harlow showed that food is less important than contact comfort. Schaffer and Emerson found infants were not necessarily attached to the adult who fed them.

2. Bowlby's theory

   • Attachment is adaptive and innate, related to imprinting.
     • Strengths: